METAMORPHOSIS: Building the Dome of a Home

dangerous boats of debris. Not a single company responded – it was extremely frustrating to
realize that all of our work could be negated yet again because no one would take responsibility
for the hazardous material on their lots. I wasn‟t as worried about the storm itself as I was about
the potential human induced destruction. I found it utterly incomprehensible that there was no
plan in place to address these very obvious issues. Most residents were still fighting with the
insurance companies over Ivan‟s claims. Now, we were going to have more damage than was
necessary because there was no plan in place to remove dumpsters, construction materials,
debris piles and FEMA trailers. (Post Katrina note: I can‟t say I am still surprised that FEMA did
not have a contingency plan for their trailers)
We prepared the house for Hurricane Dennis‟ arrival with the rote movements of activities
repeatedly practiced over the last decade.
Letter to Serenity by the Sea
I wrote this letter as I was preparing Serenity for yet another storm. Hurricane
Dennis, 2005, was bearing down on us as we stumbled around in disbelief.
Again??? The preparation was particularly heart wrenching because we were
missing the memorial service of Serenity’s architect, Jonathan Zimmerman. Instead
of flying to California, we were in Florida battening down the hatches.
I was vacuuming – don’t ask – when I was overwhelmed with love for this dome that
is so much more than a home. I began to cry and in my anguish I wrote this letter.
A peace descended upon me as I surrendered to the wisdom of trusting the process.
July 9, 2005
My Dear Sweet Serenity,
As we once again prepare you to face Mother Nature's fury, I want to share a moment with you. So we can
sit quietly together, I filled you with a beautiful sounds of peaceful music instead of the fearful rhetoric so
common on other channels.
I feel your Spirit of strength give me the courage to leave you alone to face the storm.
When people assume I want to stay only to protect my investment, they underestimate my love for you.
You're my child. Such intense labor pains, but such a beautiful creation. I really feel like we were only
midwives assisting the birth of a home destined to be.
Ironically, or maybe not so ironically, today is the memorial service for Jonathan Zimmerman, the architect
that designed you. Last month, he succumbed to cancer. We were scheduled to be in San Francisco today
to pay our respects. Instead, we're preparing you, his creation, to do what you were designed to do: not to
compete with Mother Nature, but to work with her.
I have asked Jonathan to stand guard to protect you. Yes, I believe you have a guardian angel now. So, you
really won't be weathering the storm alone. Jonathan will be here with you. I asked Granny and Grandpa to
show up, too. So, I think you will not be quite so lonely. No partying. I do worry about that, you know. I mean,
the lonely part, not the partying.
Serenity, I want you to know how deeply you're loved. Hundreds and hundreds of people tell us how much
they love you, how you are their favorite house, how they drove miles and miles just to see you, how much
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